UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
LIBRARY 


Class 

Q>SS 


Book  Volume 


. 


HINTS 


ON 

IMPOSITION. 


AN  ILLUSTRATED  GUIDE  FOR  PRINTER  AND  PRESSMAN 
IN  THE  CONSTRUCTION  OF  BOOK  FORMS.  ALSO 
OTHER  MATTERS  PERTAINING  TO 
LETTER-PRESS  PRINTING. 


By  T.  B.  WILLIAMS, 


BUFFALO,  N.  Y. 

The  Matthews-Northrup  Co . 

1895. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1895, 
By  T.  B.  WILLIAMS, 
in  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress, 
at  Washington. 


Frf  C 


C55v2^ 

\.^  K 


INTRODUCTION. 


o 

Cr- 


^ MONG  printers  no  subject  so  much  needs  cori- 
sideration  as  the  imposition  of  book  forms,  in- 
cluding tariffs,  folders,  books  of  tables,  and 
large  and  small  pamphlets  of  every  description. 

In  these  days  of  progress,  when  printers  may  have 
placed  in  their  hands  monthly  issues  of  journals  of 
high  artistic  merit  devoted  exclusively  to  the  art  of 
printing,  it  is  not  intended  to  criticise  the  merits  of 
various  modes  of  imposition,  but  rather  to  place  be- 
fore the  readers  such  Hints  on  Imposition  as  may 
make  this  book  a reliable  guide  to  the  workman  in 
the  often  arduous  task  of  imposing  book  forms. 

Those  who  have  had  considerable  experience  in  the 
composing  room,  in  the  making  up  of  pages,  and 
imposing  of  forms  for  the  press,  if  they  have  been 
studious,  have  concluded  that  there  is  a mode  of 
imposition  which,  if  thoroughly  understood,  makes 
the  matter  of  “sending  a form  to  press”  a pleasure, 
rather  than  the  irksome  duty  it  so  often  proves  alike 
to  the  advanced  printer  and  the  novice. 

Perhaps  the  chief  cause  of  the  unrest  of  an  appren- 
tice, when  about  to  enter  upon  the  art  as  a journey- 
man, is  that  one  of  the  first  duties  which  will  devolve 
upon  him  may  be  the  imposition  of  a form,  and  this 
anxiety  may  account  to  some  extent  for  the  hesitancy 
of  many  boys  to  step  out  into  the  world  as  journey- 
men printers,  able  to  take  care  of  themselves  not  only 
at  the  case  as  compositors,  but  at  the  stone. 

The  question  of  the  ability  of  a printer  to  become 
proficient  in  the  artistic  arrangement  of  types  will 
not  be  dealt  with,  as  it  is  regarded  by  the  writer  as 
occupying  an  entirely  separate  province,  not  to  be 
identified  with  the  purpose  of  this  book.  Although 
there  are  no  “departments,”  it  is  the  design  of  the 
writer  to  present  in  a simple  manner  the  best  methods 
of  “imposition,”  and  “locking  up”  of  book  forms. 

It  is  a fact  that  many  printers  who  are  highly  pro- 
ficient in  other  branches  of  the  trade  pertaining  to 
the  type  room,  and  who  have  been  in  a composing 
room  for  many  years  where  type  and  plate  forms  of 
almost  endless  variety  have  been  prepared  fpr  the 
press,  can  not  with  any  degree  of  certainty  lay  out  the 


84096 


IV 


INTRODUCTION 


pages  of  a form  and  place  the  correct  margins  in  a 
folio.  A “make-up”  having  a thorough  knowledge 
of  imposition  is  seldom  seen  at  the  stone  with  a sheet 
of  paper  in  his  hand,  as  the  relation  of  the  folded 
sheet  to  the  type  form  is  beforehand  clearly  defined 
in  his  mind,  it  is  a pleasure  to  see  the  proficient 
workman  laying  the  pages  side  by  side  without  any 
helps  save  his  knowledge  of  their  relative  positions, 
and  placing  in  the  margins  with  as  little  difficulty 
as  though  he  were  preparing  a form  for  a treadle 
press. 

It  is  not  the  desire  merely  to  present  a method  for 
the  making  up  and  imposition  of  book  forms,  but  to 
render  this  work  more  easy  all  the  way  through. 
Hence,  not  only  is  the  manner  of  laying  out  the  pages 
dealt  with,  but  also  that  of  folding  the  sheet ; the 
reason  for  so  folding ; the  relation  of  the  sheet  to  the 
type  form,  and  of  the  latter  to  the  pressman  and 
binder. 

It  is  not  intended  to  endeavor  to  transform  present 
methods  of  imposition,  or  the  positions  in  which  the 
printer  now  places  his  pages,  but  to  explain  as  accu- 
rately as  possible  to  journeyman  and  apprentice  why 
they  are  so  placed,  and  to  give  concise  illustrations  of 
the  work  in  hand. 

The  author  has,  therefore,  pleasure  in  presenting  to 
the  craft  these  directions,  in  the  hope  that  they  may 
serve  to  lighten  the  burdens  which  so  many  printers 
bear  because  pressrooms  and  binderies  are  to  the 
compositor  inaccessible  departments  of  the  printing 
industry,  although  so  closely  allied.  He  trusts  that 
as  these  results  of  years  of  study  of  the  subject  have 
often  proved  a light  to  him  they  will  be  found  to 
repay  the  careful  perusal  and  consideration  of  the 
reader. 


THE  AUTHOR. 


INDEX. 


A PAGE. 

Alternate  Pages,  imposition  of 83 

B 

Backing  Up  the  Sheet  . . . • . . . 2,  7,9 

Bearers,  type  pages  in  the  form  as  . . . 6,  12 

Binding,  reducing  cost  of 41 

Booklets  7 

Books,  sizes  of  3 

Borders  and  Panels,  use  and  abuse  of  . 2 

C 

Chases,  springing  of 42 

Color  Forms,  dissection  of 84 

Cover  Forms 64, 65 

Crossbars 13,  39,  43,  50 

Cuts  Projecting  Into  Margins  . . . . . .13 

Cuts,  to  set  type  around  84 

D 

Double  Book  Forms  ....  4,41,65,72,84 

Double  Cover  Forms  ...  ....  65 

E 

Eighteen-page  Form 23 

Elasticity  of  Small  Books 40 

Electrotyped  Plates,  imposition  of  . . . 79, 82 

F 

Folders,  margins  of 6,  7 

Folding  Machine,  minimum  size  of  sheet  for  56 

Folios 11 

Folio,  the 3,4 

Folios,  their  use  in  folding 82 


VI 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Forms,  sectional 10,  11 

Forty-page  Forms 48,  53 

Forty-eight  page  Forms  . . . . . . 54, 59 

Gr 

Gripper  Edge 81 

Gripper  Margin 80 

Guide  Points 30,  46,  50 

I 

Illustrations,  how  to  place  sidewise  in  the  page  . 84 

Imposition  from  Center  of  Form  . . 5/12,  37 

Insets 18,49,60 

J 

Jogging  the  Sheets 24 

L 

Large  Forms,  how  to  lift  83 

Light  and  Heavy  Paper 9,  41 

Locking  . 39 

M 

Margins 2,22,44,76,80 

Margins,  gripper 80 

Marginal  Notes 84 


O 

Octavo 9,17 

Odd  and  Even  Pages  and  Folios  . 5,  6,  11,  12 

Other  Matter  in  a Book  Form 20 

Overhanging  Plates 13 


P 

Pages  at  the  Center  of  Form 6 

Placing  the  Pages 5, 11, 15 

Points,  folding 13,  14,  60 

Points,  guide  . . 30,46.50 

Projections  into  the  Margin 13 

Proof  Sheets 84 


INDEX.  Vll 


Q PAGE. 

Quarto 5, 8 

Quoins 39, 83 

R 

Reduction  of  Presswork 4, 41 

Register 7, 81 

Register  of  Pages  of  Unequal  Size  . . . 78,  82 

Rulework  on  the  Press 8 

S 

Sectional  Forms 9,  12,  58,  60 

Sexto  18, 22 

Signatures 20 

Sixty-four  Page  Form  and  Sections  . . . 60,  63 

Size  of  Books 82 

Small  Books 40 

Squaring  Forms 39, 81 

Suggestions 83 

T 

Tabular  Work 85 

Thirty-two  Page  Forms 33,  37 

Thirty-six  Page  Forms 42,  46 

Trimming  Margins  34, 76 

Turning  the  Sheet 7 

Twenty  Page  Form 24 

Twenty-four  Page  Forms  .’  . , . . . 26,  31 

“ Two-on” 4,66 

Tying  Up 82 

'IT 

Uneven  Pages  in  a Form,  register  of  ...  78 

w 

Wet  Type . 84 

Wrinkling  of  Paper  ........  10 


. 


IMPOSITION  OF  BOOK 
FORMS. 


A SINGLE  PACE. 

Lock  up  one  pag-e  for  the  treadle-press  with  the  head 
of  the  page  to  the  left  against  solid  furniture,  and  place 
the  quoins  at  the  foot  and  side.  The  pins  are  set  in  the 
tympan  of  the  press  at  the  bottom  and  left-hand  edges  of 
the  sheet.  In  locking  up,  the  compositor  should,  for  con- 
venience, work  with  the  foot  of  the  chase  near  to  him. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


TWO  PAGES,  OR  A LEAF. 

In  a form  of  any  number  of  pages,  which  “backs 
itself,”  it  is  readily  seen  that  the  paper,  after  having 
been  printed  on  one  side,  should  be  turned  over  towards 
the  page  next  in  order  of  succession  to  that  having  the 
lowest  folio  in  the  form. 


To  find  the  margins  of  this  form,  fold  the  sheet  once 
through  the  centre,  and  measure  with  it  from  the  outer 
edge  of  one  page  to  the  inner  (or  back)  edge  of  the  other, 
thus  placing  each  page  in  the  centre  of  the  half-sheet. 
When  four^page  circulars  or  programmes  are  printed 
from  two  forms  additional  margin  at  the  outer  edges 
improves  the  appearance  of  the  work. 

The  working  of  borders  or  panels  across  the  upper  or 
lower  parts  of  small  programmes  or  other  small  designs  is 
a matter  to  be  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  compositor. 
Such  panels  deprive  the  Gordon  pressman  of  gripper 
margin.  If  the  panels  are  within  one-quarter  of  an  inch 
of  the  gripper  edge  of  a sheet  which  is  to  be  printed  on  a 
cylinder  press,  it  is  impossible  to  print  them. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


3 


THE  FOLIO. 

The  Folio,  or  half-sheet  of  Quarto,  a small  form  for 
the  cylinder  press,  may  be  taken  as  a basis  for  the  impo- 
sition of  type  forms,  as  four  pages  (or  two  leaves)  joined 
together,  make  a book. 


s e 


i f 


Fig.  3. 

Fig.  3 represents  the  Folio  as  it  is  usually  worked.  It 
backs  itself.  The  sheet  is  then  cut  through  the  head 
margin  into  two  parts,  and  when  folded  makes  two  books 
of  four  pages  each. 

In  all  ordinary  book  forms  in  which  the  folios  (or 
numbers  of  the  pages)  run  consecutively,  the  paper  is 
“worked  and  turned” — i.  e.,  printed  first  on  one  side  and 
then  turned  over  endwise  and  printed  again  by  the  same 
type  form. 


1432 


Fig.  3 b. 

In  Fig.  3b  the  paper  is  also  turned  the  long  way  of  the 
sheet,  and  when  printed  on  both  sides  makes  two  books  of 


Fig.  3 a. 


4 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


four  pages  each.  This  form  is  less  used,  however,  as  the 
paper  is  not  so  conveniently  handled. 


Fig.  3 c.  Fig.  3d. 

In  this  form  the  paper  is  turned  the  narrow  way  to  be 
backed,  and  is  cut  through  the  long  way  of  the  sheet. 

FOLIO— TWO  ON. 


z £ t7  i 


i4  32 


Fig.  3e. 


The  advantages  of  this  form  are  apparent.  In  the 
printing  of  a large  number  of  circulars  (or  otherwise)  the 
presswork  is  reduced  one-half.  A form  which  will  not 
cover  more  than  one-half  of  one  side  of  the  sheet  may  he 
worked  “two  on,”  or  double. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


5 


This  form  may  be  called  a “regular”  Quarto.  Like 
the  Folio  the  sheet  to  be  backed  is  turned  over  the  long 
way.  When  printed  it  is  cut  through  the  narrow  way  of 
the  paper,  making  two  books  of  eight  pages  (or  four 
leaves)  each. 

It  will  be  noted  that  page  1 (an  odd  number)  is  at  the 
lower  left-hand  corner  of  this  form,  and  that  page  2 (an 
even  number)  is  at  the  lower  right-hand  corner. 

QUARTO  IMPOSED  FROM  CENTRE. 


g £ t S 


_7  2 i 8 


Fig.  5. 


6 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


The  first  four  pages  of  this  form  are  placed  in  the 
centre  because  the  first  pages  of  a book  often  contain 
little  reading  matter,  which  is  condensed  in  the  type- 
work  into  a small  space  in  the  pages,  and  in  work  which 
requires  very  careful  presswork  it  is  of  much  advantage 
to  the  pressman  to  have  full  pages  at  the  outer  edges  of 
the  form.  They  serve  as  bearers  to  the  inking  rollers, 
and  slurring  is  often  avoided  by  this  simple  means. 

The  printed  sheet  is  folded  in  the  same  manner  as 
Fig.  4a. 

Note  that  an  odd  folio  is  at  the  lower  left-hand  corner, 
and  an  even  folio  at  the  right-hand  corner  of  this  form. 
When  standing  next  to  the  feet  of  the  pages  of  any  regu- 
larly imposed  form,  or  section  of  a form,  the  folio  of  the 
page  at  the  extreme  left  will  be  odd  and  that  furthest  to 
the  right  even. 

QUARTO  — IN  FOLDER  FORM. 


Fig.  6.  Fig.  6a. 

Eight-page  circulars  in  folder  form  are  popular  means 
of  advertising.  The  simplicity  of  the  folder  gives  it 
priority  over  the  eight-page  booklet,  and  as  the  margins 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


7 


are  narrower  the  capacity  of  the  sheet  is  greater.  The 
margins  are  usually  about  one-half  that  of  the  margins  in 
a booklet  of  like  dimensions  when  folded. 

Unlike  regular  book  forms,  the  margins  of  a folder  are 
usually  of  equal  width  throughout.  As  the  pages  are 
often  enclosed  within  rules,  accuracy  in  the  make-up  and 
imposition  is  imperative  for  good  *register. 

The  folded  sheet  from  this  form  serves  to  illustrate  the 
turning  of  the  sheet  to  be  backed.  It  is  turned  over  the 
broad  way — towards  the  second  folio.  For  forms  hereto- 
fore illustrated  the  paper  has  been  turned  over  the  long 
way  on  the  feed-board  before  “backing  up.”  Before 
printing,  the  paper  should  be  trimmed. 

DEEP  QUARTO. 


For  an  eight-page  booklet  this  form  is  to  be  preferred 
to  that  shewn  in  Fig.  6,  and  as  an  inset  it  is  of  better 
register  and  not  so  easily  misplaced  in  binding. 

*The  correspondence  of  pages,  or  lines  opposite  to  each  other,  or 
on  the  reverse  side  of  the  sheet.  If  one  page  is  a line  or  two  deeper 
than  that  opposite  the  headlines  are  made  to  register.  In  color- 
printing register  is  the  adjustment  in  the  design  of  one  color  to 
another. 


8 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


The  Deep  Quarto  is  usually  folded  as  shewn  in  Fig.  6a, 
the  imposition  being  as  follows : 

Z l 9 S 

18  5 4 


QUARTO  — BROAD  WAY. 


Fig.  7.  Fig.  7 a. 


Books  of  the  shape  indicated  by  this  form  are  much 
used  by  publishers  of  illustrated  catalogues. 

Copy  books  and  other  books  having  a number  of  ruled 
lines  on  each  page  cannot  be  well  printed  from  this  form 
if  put  in  the  press  the  ordinary  way  of  eight  broad  pages — 
with  the  sides  of  the  pages  next  to  the  grippers.  The 
rules  would  cut  the  inking  rollers  before  many  impres- 
sions had  been  made,  the  makeready  would  not  be  lasting, 
and  the  rules  would  eventually  cut  into  the  sheets  being 
printed.  To  avert  this  the  form  should  be  placed  in  the 
press  with  the  feet  of  the  pages  to  the  grippers,  the  paper 
being  fed  in  endwise,  but  as  good  register  is  next  to  im- 
possible when  printed  thus,  the  form  is  sent  to  press  in 
two  sections  of  four  pages  each. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION 


9 


OCTAVO, 

A FORM  OF  BIGHT  LEAVES  OR  SIXTEEN  PAGES, 

Commonly  called  a sixteen-page  form,  is  shewn  imposed 
in  the  regular  way.  It  backs  itself,  the  sheet  being  turned 
over  the  long  way,  and  when  cut  through  the  narrow  way 
makes  two  books  of  eight  leaves  each,  or  two  sixteen-page 


It  should  be  the  aim  of  the  printer  to  impose  all  forms 
of  not  more  than  thirty-two  pages  of  ordinary  work,  or 
sixteen  pages  of  fine  work,  so  that  the  sheet  will  have  a 
solid  back  when  folded,  as  shewn  in  Fig.  8#. 

As  it  is  not  possible  for  the  binder  to  fold  a heavy 
sheet  of  paper  of  but  eight  leaves  as  easily  as  he  would  a 
light  sheet  containing  a much  larger  number  of  leaves,  it 
often  found  necessary  to  cut  the  double  folds  to  prevent 


30 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


the  sheets  from  wrinkling1  or  gathering  at  the  corners. 
Pamphlets  printed  on  “cheap”  stock,  however,  are 
usually  imposed  to  print  and  fold  to  the  full  capacity  of 
the  sheet,  unless  the  pages  are  very  small.  It  is  difficult 
to  fold  with  accuracy  in  the  register  a sheet  of  sixty-four 
pages,  and  if  printed  on  heavy  paper  it  is  impossible. 

Regarding  the  imposition  of  this  form,  it  will  be  said 
for  illustration  that  it  is  to  be  worked  on  a sheet  of  Double 
Demy  paper.  When  the  paper  is  printed  on  one  side,  and 
folded,  it  will  present  a book  of  sixteen  leaves,  the  sixteen 
printed  pages  being  on  the  outside  of  the  sheet  only. 
But  the  sheet  is  turned  over  end  for  end  on  the  press  and 
“ backed,”  making  two  books  of  sixteen  pages  each.  By 
folding  either  half  of  the  printed  sheet  a complete  book 
of  sixteen  pages,  printed  both  inside  and  outside  is  the 
result.  It  will  be  seen,  therefore,  that  this  form  (as  pre- 
vious forms)  may  be  imposed  and  sent  to  press  in  two 
sections  — inside  and  outside. 

If  a sheet  of  paper  of  the  same  size  (Double  Demy) 
were  used  for  a book  of  sixteen  pages,  eight  pages  of 
which  would  cover  one  side  of  the  sheet,  the  form  would 
necessarily  be  divided  into  two  sections,  that  containing 
page  1 being  printed  on  the  outside  of  the  sheet,  and  that 
containing  page  2 on  the  inside  of  the  sheet.  These  two 
sections  are  shewn  in  Fig.  8.  The  sections  when  imposed 
in  separate  chases  being  as  follows : 


Fig.  8b.  Outside  Section 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


11 


The  outside  section  contains  the  pages  not  crossed  in 
the  following  figures : 

1,  ?-3,  4-5,  9-7,  8-9,  %9-n,  12-13,  U 19,  16. 

The  figures  crossed  are  the  folios  of  the  pages  which 
constitute  the  inside  section. 


Fig.  8 bb.  Inside  Section. 


As  the  outside  contains  the  first  page  (1)  of  the  form, 
it  will  be  termed  the  “odd”  section,  and  as  the  inside 
section  contains  the  second  page  (2)  it  will  be  termed  the 
“even”  section.  In  all  regularly  imposed  outside  sec- 
tions the  lowest  folio  (an  odd  number)  will  be  found  at 
the  left-hand  corner,  and  in  inside  sections  the  lowest 
folio  (an  even  number)  will  be  found  at  the  right-hand 
corner.  It  will  be  observed,  therefore,  that  the  outside 
and  inside  sections  of  a sheet  or  form  are  reverse  of  each 
other.  These  sections  are  therefore  imposed  in  reverse 
order,  the  make-up  commencing  from  opposite  corners 
to  place  his  pages.  Making  a;  thirty-two  page  form  the 
limit,  this  manner  of  laying  down  pages  for  a form  obvi- 
ates the  necessity  of  committing  to  memory  the  positions 
of  more  than  sixteen  pages.  This  rule  for  the  placing  of 
pages  in  sections  is  a helpful  maxim  in  the  imposition  of 
book  forms  of  any  magnitude  and  will  be  of  assistance  to 
the  printer  in  proving  the  positions  of  the  pages.  In  the 
above  form  it  should  not  be  forgotten  that  in  the  oustide 


12 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


(odd)  section  one  page  only  is  first  laid  down,  then  two 
are  skipped  alternately  until  the  outside  section  is  com- 
pleted. For  the  inside  (even)  section,  two  pages  are  first 
laid  in  position  and' two  skipped  alternately.  The  utility 
of  the  method  is  inestimable  in  forms  of  not  more  than 
thirty-two  pages. 

OCTAVO  — IMPOSED  FROM  THE  CENTRE. 


This  is  practically  the  same  form  as  that  preceding, 
excepting  that  each  quarter-section  is  turned  around 
toward  the  centre.  One  advantage  of  having  the  pages 


thus  placed  is  explained  under  Fig.  5.  The  sheet  is 
folded  in  a different  manner  from  the  regular  Octavo. 
In  forms  of  thirty-two  pages  this  manner  of  imposition 
facilitates  the  binding. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


13 


The  transposition  of  sections  will  sometimes  avert  the 
necessity  of  removing  a crossbar  from  the  chase.  The 
habit  of  “cutting  under”  wide  plates  which  project  far 
enough  into  the  margins  to  come  into  contact  with  the 
crossbars  invariably  affects  the  impression  on  the  paper, 
and  should  if  possible  be  avoided.  It  would  be  much 
better  to  have  an  odd  sheet  (folded  as  above)  in  a book, 
than  to  have  a blurred  print,  though  the  usefulness  of 
the  crossbar  be  not  taken  into  consideration. 


Fig.  8e. 


The  “points,”  as  shewn  in  Fig.  8e,  are  used  in  forms 
which  are  imposed  for  books,  the  sections  of  which  are 
folded  by  machinery.  In  sixteen-page  forms  these  points 
are  usually  placed  exactly  15  inches  apart — 7|  inches 
each  way  from  the  centre  of  the  first  fold. 


14 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


OCTAVO— TWO  ON. 


Fig-.  See. 


A book  measuring  5 in.  x 7 in.  is  said  to  be  made  of 
Quad.  Crown  (30  in.  x 40  in.),  thirty -two  pages  covering- 
one  side  of  the  paper.  As  it  is  often  the  desire  of  the 
binder  to  have  the  printed  paper  delivered  in  forms  of 
sixteen  pages,  two  forms  may  be  imposed  end  to  end  as 
shewn  in  Fig.  See.  The  paper  is  turned  over  the  long  way 
for  backing. 

The  points  are  removed  after  one  side  of  th£  paper  is 
printed. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


15 


BROAD  OCTAVO. 

With  the  exception  of  the  manner  of  folding  the  sheet, 
the  remarks  pertaining  to  the  “regular”  Octavo  are 
applicable  to  this  form.  Each  section  contains  pages  of 
the  same  folios,  but  in  different  positions.  The  sheet  is 


Fig.  8 f 


turned  the  same  way  to  be  backed,  and  is  cut  through 
the  narrow  way  before  being  folded. 

In  forms  imposed  from  the  outside  the  make-up  should 
place  the  first  page  with  the  foot  towards  him,  making 


16 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


it  the  point  from  which  the  other  pages  are  placed.  This 
practice  enables  an  experienced  man  to  read  his  forms  as 
he  would  a line  of  type,  and  to  immediately  detect  a 
misplaced  page.  Made  up  from  the  centre  this  form 
would  be  as  follows : 


BROAD  OCTAVO  — IMPOSED  FROM  THE  CENTRE. 


Fig.  8/ 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


17 


DEEP  OCTAVO. 

The  demand  for  books  of  this  shape  is  limited  almost 
entirely  to  booklets  consisting  of  eight  to  thirty-two 
pages,  all  of  which  would  require  but 
one-sixth  or  one-third  of  a sheet  of  D. 

Demy  or  D.  Royal.  Printed  on  a half- 
sheet or  quarter-sheet  the  page  would 
be  too  narrow  for  neatness  in  general 
appearance. 

Every  attention  should  be  given  to 
“squaring  up”  a form  for  accuracy  in 
register,  as  there  is  nothing  less  pleas- 
ing to  the  eye  than  deep  pages  which 
are  not  evenly  balanced  in  the  book. 

Before  being  printed  the  sheets  should 
be  trimmed,  as  they  are  turned  the  nar- 
row way  on  the  feed-board  of  the  press 
for  “backing.” 

It  may  be  here  stated  that  there  is  a Fig.  87. 
generally  accepted  notion  amongst  printers  that  there 
should  be  a distinction  made,  when  making  up,  imposing, 


Fig.  8k. 

or  locking  up  a form  for  the  press,  between  a good  and  an 
ordinary  line  of  work.  Be  this  as  it  may,  it  cannot  be 


18 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


disputed  that  the  results  obtained  from  carelessness  are 
never  satisfactory.  If  the  type  pages  for  any  book  are 
well  and  evenly  made  up  to  one  depth  at  the  outset,  the 
remainder  of  the  adjustment  is  at  the  stone  ; for  a press- 
man, no  matter  how  experienced  he  maybe,  cannot  give 
to  the  printed  sheet  the  finish  of  which  it  has  already 
been  deprived  by  a careless  printer. 


SEXTO. 

A FORM  OF  SIX  LEAVES  OR  TWELVE  PAGES. 

INSET  TO  FOLD  IN. 

A twelve-page  form  may  properly  be  said  to  contain 
three  distinct  sections,  two  of  which  are  “insets,”  that 


section  containing  the  first  and  last  pages  of  the  form 
making  the  covers  into  which  the  others  are  inserted.  In 
this  form,  however,  these  insets  may  be  folded  in , as 
shewn  in  the  illustration.  The  margins  at  the  heads  and 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


19 


feet  of  the  pages  in  the  form  should  be  carefully  and 
equalty  divided,  the  form  being  imposed  to  a trimmed 
sheet,  and  for  good  register  in  every  respect  the  paper 
should  be  trimmed  before  being  printed.  This  is  a most 
useful  form,  as  with  care  in  the  composing  room  and 
pressroom  the  sheet  is  easily  folded,  and  taken  altogether 
good  results  are  obtained.  The  imposition  of  the  form  is 
more  commonly  referred  to  as  an  eight-page  form  with 
an  inset  (of  four),  with  the  following  order  of  imposition, 
the  inset  being  in  the  centre  of  the  book. 

1,  2,  3,  4,  ft  P,  r,  0,  9,  10,  11,  12. 

The  inset  is  simply  a folio  working  the  long  way  of  itself, 
and  the  make-up  will  note  that  the  first  folio  is  odd,  as  in 
the  main  section  of  the  form,  and  at  the  left  with  the  foot 
towards  him. 

SEXTO— INSET  CUT  OFF. 

A twelve-page  form  is  here  shewn  in  which  the  inset 
is  to  be  cut  off  and  folded 
before  being  inserted.  As 
folded  sheets  are  “jogged” 
at  the  tops,  the  necessity 
for  having  the  inset  care- 
fully cut  off  is  obvious; — 
exactly  one-half  the  space 
between  the  heads  of  the 
pages  in  the  eight-page  sec- 
tion is  the  measurement 
from  the  heads  of  the  pages 
in  the  inset  where  the  cut 
should  be  made.  This  form 
may  be  imposed  from  the 
centre  in  the  same  manner 
as  the  Quarto,  the  positions 
of  the  pages  in  the  inset 
remaining  the  same. 

An  eight-page  book  may  be  imposed  in  one  section  of 


Fig.  9t. 


20 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


this  form,  and  four  pages  of  other  matter  in  the  inset  (or 
cut-off)  section,  if  desired.  Note  the  signatures*  in  the 
illustration. 


Fig.  9c. 


“Other  matter  in  a book  form”  is  a term  somewhat 
synonymous  with  “two  on.”  The  term  implies  that 
sections  of  different  books  are  imposed  in  the  same  form 
and  printed  on  the  same  paper. 

The  second*  edition  of  a book  is  usually  printed  from 
electrotyped  plates,  the  printer  commencing  at  the  first 
page  in  the  book  and  printing  in  consecutive  forms  until 
the  work  is  completed.  When  the  first  edition  of  a book 
is  to  be  printed  from  type  forms,  the  Title  page,  Preface, 
etc.,  are  often  set  aside  until  after  the  last  full  form  of  the 
text  is  printed,  when  these  pages  and  any  pages  which 
may  remain  at  the  end,  are  printed  together  in  one  form, 
the  sections  thus  printed  bearing  the  relation  to  each 
other  of  “ other  matter”  in  the  form. 

* A letter  or  figure  (or  both)  placed  at  the  foot  of  the  first  page  of 
each  sheet  of  a book  as  a direction  to  the  binder  in  folding  and 
placing  the  sheet.  (Al)— A=title  of  book;  l = first  page  of  form; 
A2=first  page  of  second  form.  The  asterisk  is  used  with  the 
signature  at  the  bottom  of  the  first  page  of  an  inset  (when  inset  is  to 
be  cut  off)  thus  : Al*  = inset  for  first  form  ; A‘2*=inset  for  second  form. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


21 


Fig.  9 a. 

The  advantage  of  imposing  a form  of  Deep  Twelves  in 
this  manner  is  at  once  appar- 
ent. The  utility  of  the  solid 
back  cannot  be  overesti- 
mated. The  method  of 
imposing  it  so  that  pages  9, 

10,  11,  12,  are  required  to  be 
cut  off  and  fastened  to  the 
end  of  the  book  is  ill-advised. 

If  possible  the  practice  should 
be  avoided  in  all  forms, 
whether  for  a book  contain- 
ing a small  or  great  number 
of  pages.  This  form  worked 
on  a sheet  of  the  same 
dimensions  as  that  for  Figs. 

9 a and  9b  will  produce  a book 
somewhat  narrower  and 
deeper.  The  latter  forms  are 
preferable,  however,  as  the 
register  is  better,  and  the 
inset  is  not  so  easily  misplaced  in  the  binding.  The  above 
form  is  convenient  onty  for  deep  pages. 


22 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


The  equal  division  for  the  trimming  of  the  edges  of  the 
folded  sheet  should  not  be  overlooked  in  placing  the  mar- 
gins between  the  inset  and  the  main  section  of  the  form. 
Sufficient  space  should  be  allowed  to  insure  complement 
in  the  margins. 

SEXTO— BROAD  WAY. 

In  this  form  pages  3,  4,  9,  10,  are  folded  in.  The  ad- 
justment of  the  margins  needs  careful  attention.  The 
remarks  on  folding  the  sheet,  cutting,  etc.,  for  Fig.  9a,  are 
applicable  to  this  form.  It  is  evident  that  there  should 


be  somewhat  less  margin  at  the  heads  of  the  pages  in 
the  inset  than  in  the  outer  sections,  that  it  may  be  more 
easily  folded  in ; the  margins  between  the  heads  and  feet 
of  the  other  pages  being  equal. 

Catalogues  of  various  kinds,  copy-books,  etc.,  are 
occasionally  made  up  in  this  shape. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION 


23 


EIGHTEEN-PAGE  FORM. 


□ □ 

ii  ti  s 

8 17  2 

□ □□ 


Fig.  10. 

This  form  will  not  overcome  in  every  respect  the 
inefficiency  of  the  usual 
eighteen-page  form,  although 
it  is  printed  and  backed 
without  transposition  of 
pages.  It  is  designed  to 
facilitate  the  presswork  and 
binding ; hence  the  other 
forms  are  omitted.  Careful 
attention  to  the  margins 
will  result  in  a printed  sheet 
which  may  be  folded  with 
as  much  ease  as  a sheet 
containing  twelve  pages. 

The  attention  of  the  press- 
man should  be  directed  to  Fig.  10a. 

the  necessity  of  having  a little  less  margin  at  the  edges 
of  the  sheet  which  are  to  be  folded  towards  the  centre  in 
the  first  and  third  folds. 


24 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


TWENTY-PAGE  FORM. 


The  squareness  of  a book  of  twenty  pages  made  from 
any  ordinary  size  of  paper,  such  as  D.  Demy  or  D.  Royal, 
presents  an  uncomely  shape.  These  papers  are  more 
suitable  for  books  of  oblong  (16mo)  shape,  and  as  the 
additional  four  pages  to  the  sheet  demand  their  propor- 
tionate area  of  the  paper  surface  the  depths  of  the  other 
pages  are  lessened.  Like  other  folded  sheets  these  are 
“jogged  at  the  tops”  in  the  binding,  and  the  equal 
adjustment  of  the  head  and  foot  margins  in  the  form 
requires  special  attention,  the  necessity  of  carefully 
dividing  the  sheet  between  the  body  of  the  form  and  the 
inset  being  pointed  out  to  the  binder.  Or,  if  but  a small 
number  of  pamphlets  are  to  be  printed,  it  would  be 
more  advisable  to  have  the  sheets  cut  before  their  delivery 
to  the  bindery. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


25 


A book  of  extraordinary  shape  such  as  Fig.  11  is  seldom 
printed  in  large  editions.  A twenty-page  or  a forty-page 
book  if  printed  in  one  sheet,  usually  necessitates  an  order 
for  a special  size  of  paper.  The  most  complete  facilities 


Fig.  11  a. 


for  paper-making  which  obtain  in  these  times  of  unpre- 
cedented skill  in  this  industry  being  ever  at  hand  to 
respond  quickly  to  the  demands  of  the  printer,  books  of 
any  requisite  shape  may  be  printed  without  loss  or  delay 
to  the  printer  or  publisher. 


26 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


TWENTY- FOUR  PAGE  FORMS. 


INSET  TO  FOLD  IN. 

The  printing1  of  books  from  i 
sheet  may  be  folded  up  with- 
out cutting.  An  equal  division 
of  the  head  and  foot  margins 
is  necessary  to  secure  a well 
made  book. 

The  first  fold  of  the  sheet 
renders  the  register  decidedly 
uncertain,  and  for  this  reason 
the  cutting  off  of  the  inset  is 
recommended.  The  head  and 
foot  margins  in  all  twelve-page 
and  twenty-four  page  forms 
should  be  as  evenly  divided  as 
possible.  Owing  to  the  fact 
that  there  is  a difference  of 
greater  or  less  proportions  in 
all  book  papers,  however,  it  is  expedient  for  the  make-up 


tis  form  is  popular.  The 


Fig.  12  a. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


27 


to  allow  an  eighth  of  an  inch  for  the  variability  of  the 
paper ; or  in  other  words,  that  much  of  the  paper  may 
be  trimmed  off  each  way  before 
imposing  the  form,  after  which 
the  precision  in  the  equalization 
of  the  margins  must  be  left  to  the 
care  of  the  pressman. 


TWENTY-FOUR  PAGE  FORM. 

(inset  to  fold  in.) 

It  cannot  be  doubted  that  the 
form  here  shewn  is  in  some  re- 
spects superior  to  that  previously 
presented,  although  it  has  not 
obtained  such  general  approval. 

This  may  be  because  the  plan  of 
folding  up  the  sheet  shewn  in 
Fig.  12  in  its  entirety  is  seldom  Fig.  13. 

adopted.  If  the  insets  were  cut  away  from  both  sheets 
and  folded  separately,  Fig.  12  would  be  preferable,  as  the 


Fig.  13. 


28 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION, 


long  fold  through  the  heads  in  Fig.  13  would  thus  be 
averted. 

For  work  which  is  to  be  printed  on  the  finer  grades  of 
paper,  of  especially  good  quality,  Fig.  12  would  be  chosen  ; 
but  for  a cheaper  class  of  work  Fig.  13  is  the  more  con- 
venient, a point  being  placed  in  the  form  where  shewn  in 
illustration. 

TWENTY-FOUR  PAGE  FORM  — DEEP  WAY. 

A half-sheet  of  twenty-four  deep  pages  printed  from 
this  form  is  easily  folded  and  makes  a book  of  neat  pro- 


z £z  oz  S»  t i z 


portions.  Everything  is  favorable  for  a well-bound  book, 
the  sheet  turning  lengthwise  for  backing  and  the  folded 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


29 


sheet  having  a solid  back.  The  form  is  in  common  use 
for  pamphlet  printing. 

Careful  division  of  the  margins  is  necessary,  the  press- 
man allotting  the  exact  margin  to  the  edge  of  the  sheet  to 
be  folded  in.  Points  placed  as  shewn  will  assist  the 
binder,  and  should  be  removed  before  the  paper  is 
“backed.” 

If  imposition  from  the  centre  is  desired  the  position  of 
the  pages  in  the  form  may  be  readily  ascertained  by 
reversing  the  last  fold  of  the  sheet. 


Since  the  excellent  results  in  speed,  cleanliness  and 
accuracy  of  register  have  been  attained  by  the  general 
introduction  of  folding  machine^  into  the  binderies  in 
large  business  centres  where  extensive  editions  of  books 
of  various  kinds  are  in  constant  and  immediate  demand. 


TWENTY-FOUR  PAGE  FORM. 


FOR  MACHINE  OR  HAND  FOLDING. 


Fig.  15. 


30 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


the  necessity  of  imposing-  book  forms  for  the  folding 
machine  has  brought  this  plan  of  imposition  into  every- 
day use. 

The  form  here  shown  affords  an  excellent  example  of 
the  utility  of  the  machine  fold.  A sheet  which  can  be 
folded  by  machinery  may  also  be  folded  by  hand,  and 
usually  with  facility.  For  folding  by  hand,  good  register 
is  assured,  the  folios  in  two  sections  being  in  full  view  in 
the  second  fold,  which  is  not  the  case  in  Figs.  1 2,  13,  14 a. 
For  hand-folding  a point  should  be  placed  at  the  centre  of 
the  margin  (*)  for  the  convenience  of  the  folder,  and  the 
pressman  should  so  adjust  the  sheet  that  the  margin  at 


page  19  will  not  be  more  than  one-half  the  width  across 
(from  head  to  head),  this  division  of  the  margins  being 
necessary  for  either  process.  The  points  for  the  machine 
fold  are  placed  7£  inches  each  way  from  the  centre  of  the 
first  fold,  and  should  be  exactly  15  inches  apart. 

The  first  pages  of  this  form  may  be  placed  at  the 
centre  by  a transposition  of  each  half  of  the  form. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


81 


TWENTY-FOUR  PAGE  FORM  — BROAD  WAY. 


Fig1.  1 6«. 


32 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


Fig-.  17  a. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


33 


Twenty-four  broad  pages  may  be  imposed  so  that  the 
inset  will  fold  in,  but  the  wisdom  of  so  folding  the  sheet 
is  questionable,  owing  to  its  width,  the  thickness  of  the 
last  fold,  and  the  crowding  at  the  heads.  The  sheet,  as 
shewn  in  Fig.  16,  is  easily  folded  and  of  good  register. 
As  the  broad  book  is,  as  other  books,  often  made  of  paper 
of  inferior  kind,  a form  for  a sheet  in  which  the  inset  is 
folded  in  is  appended.  In  dividing  the  margins  for  Fig.  16 
it  will  be  noted  that  sufficient  extra  margin  is  allowed 
between  the  inset  and  main  body  of  the  form  to  admit 
of  ample  trimming.  The  head  and  foot  margins  in  Fig.  17 
are  divided  equally  throughout. 


The  thirty -two  page  form  is  the  Alpha  and  Omega  of 
imposition  to  the  average  pressman,  because  of  the 
position  it  occupies  in  the  printing  of  books  of  fiction, 
school  books,  etc.,  etc.,  but  in  practice  is  a tuition  which 
gives  him  a knowledge  of  the  relative  positions  of  type 


THIRTY-TWO  PAGE  FORMS. 


Fig.  18. 


34 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


pages  and  the  making*  of  margins  which  causes  him  to  be 
envied  his  attainment  by  many  skilled  printers. 

When  the  pages  have  been  placed  in  position  and  the 
margins  for  the  backs  of  the  pages  allotted,  the  head, 
foot,  and  outside  (or  trimming)  margins  are  to  he  deter- 
mined. The  equal  division  of  these  margins  cannot  but 


Fig.  18. 


give  satisfaction  to  the  binder.  The  covers  for  books  are 
usually  made  before  the  printing  of  the  inside  is  com- 
pleted, the  binder  calculating  to  receive  printed  sheets 
which,  when  folded,  will  admit  of  ample  trimming.  The 
ungainly  appearance  of  the  edges  of  a well  bound  book  too 
often  tells  a tale  of  negligence  in  respect  of  margins. 

The  above  figure  represents  the  ordinary  imposition  of 
a thirty -two  page  form.  For  convenience  it  was  imposed 
from  type,  in  two  sections,  after  the  manner  of  a sixteen 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION 


35 


Fig1.  19ar. 


36  HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


Fig1.  20 a. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


37 


page  form.  It  is  considered  by  some  to  be  the  easiest 
method,  because  the  pages  follow  each  other  in  the  sixteen- 
page  rotation,  one  section  being  the  reverse  of  the  other. 

The  same  may  be  said  of  Fig.  19 a,  which  is  imposed  from 
the  centre  in  the  manner  customary  for  machine  folding. 
The  positions  of  the  points  in  this  form  are  7£  inches 
from  the  centre  of  the  first  fold— 15  inches  apart.  Other 
reasons  for  imposing  a form  from  the  centre  have  already 
been  cited. 

As  a rule,  books  made  from  extra  heavy  paper  are 
printed  as  shewn  in  Fig.  20 a,  the  points  being  placed  as 
shewn  in  the  illustration . 


THIRTY-TWO  PAGE  FORM  — BROAD  WAY. 


The  head  and  foot  margins  of  this  form  are  equals 
divided  throughout,  and  after  the  back  margins  are  deter- 
mined, the  make-up  proceeds  as  in  other  forms.  The 
successive  folding  through  the  head  margins  is  evidence 
of  need  of  good  register  in  the  form , and  this . should  not 
be  slighted  if  good  work  is  expected  of  the  binder. 

Although  the  broad  book  occupies  a prominent  place 
in  the  printing  of  descriptive  catalogues,  etc.,  as  the 


Fig-.  21a. 


shape  is  well  adapted  to  illustrations,  the  folding-  machine 
for  the  “broad  thirty-two”  remains  in  the  manufacturer’s 
catalogue  under  the  caption  of  “special  make.”  The 
manufacture  of  machinery  which  will  meet  the  require- 
ments of.  the  binder  in  this  respect  has  not  been  developed 
to  the  extent  that  the  output  of  books  of  broad  shape 
seems  to  warrant.  The  vignetting  of  half-tone  engravings 
has  of  itself  created  a demand  for  the  clean  white  margin 
in  the  small  book  which  the  broad  page  only  can  give. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


39 


THIRTY-TWO  PAGE  FORM— DEEP  WAY. 


The  crossbars,  or  bars  running  at  right  angles  through 
the  centre  of  the  form,  are  indispensable  if  the  form 
consists  of  large  pages.  The  larger  the  pages,  the 
greater  the  importance  of  having  good  register  in  the 
form.  If  the  pages  are  carefully  made  up  and  uniform 
before  being  placed  in  the  chase,  the  crossbars  will,  if 
the  usual  care  be  exercised  in  locking  up,  make  easy  the 
work  of  registering  the  pages  one  with  another.  If  it 
should  be  found  necessary  to  dispense  with  the  crossbar 
running  parallel  with  the  sides  of  the  pages,  the  make-up 
should,  before  laying  down  the  pages,  make  square  with 
the  crossbar  remaining  the  side  of  the  chase  against  which 
the  pages  are  to  rest. 

If  it  is  found  that  the  crossbar  is  bent  when  the  form 
is  tightened,  it  is  an  evidence  of  neglect  in  locking  up 
which  strips  of  paper  or  cardboard  will  not  remedy.  The 
loosening  of  a quoin  or  two  and  the  tightening  of  those 
opposite  will  often  avert  the  trouble. 

The  dimensions  of  a book  of  thirty-two  deep  pages, 


40 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


Fig’.  22 a. 


requiring  a half-sheet  of  Quad.  Crown  (30  x 40)  paper 
would  be  about  x 9J,  and  not  very  symmetrical  in 
appearance.  The  paper  for  a book  of  more  useful  shape 
(say  3Jx7)  would  therefore  require  to  be  about  square 
(30  x 30)  to  save  waste  in  trimming.  Thirty-two  page 
books  of  small  size  made  up  in  this  shape  are  satisfactory 
to  a degree  which  in  books  of  greater  dimensions  it  is 
difficult  to  attain.  In  the  latter  case  the  quality  of  the 
paper  is  the  gross  factor — the  better  and  stiffer  the  book 
paper,  the  more  difficult  is  it  to  overcome  the  tendency 
of  a small  book  with  thin  coverings  to  spring  open, 
whilst  in  thin  papers  this  tendency  is  easily  overcome. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


41 


PART  II. 


In  the  following  pages,  which  consist  of  forms  chiefly 
adapted  to  that  class  of  book  and  pamphlet  printing 
which  is  confined  to  the  lower  grades  of  paper,  but  some 
of  which  have  their  place  in  the  printing  of  a better  class 
of  work,  the  design  is  to  present  such  forms  as  are  bes£ 
suited  to  the  work  in  hand.  Reduction  of  presswork, 
and  avoidance  of  complexity  in  folding  and  binding  the 
sheet,  are  therefore  points  in  the  construction  of  these 
books  which  need  the  careful  consideration  of  the  printer. 

On  the  other  hand,  books  which  are  complete  in  one 
sheet,  or  half-sheet,  and  printed  on  heavier  paper,  should 
be  imposed  so  that  the  sheet  will  be  cut  when  printed, 
and  be  folded  in  two  or  more  parts.  [See  Fig.  20 a.] 

The  former  class  of  work,  the  output  of  which  is  very 
great,  and  which  is  therefore  placed  in  close  competition, 
usually  demands  that  the  paper  upon  which  the  work  is 
printed  should  be  large  enough  to  admit  of  an  entire 
book  (often  two  or  more  books)  being  printed  at  one 
impression. 

The  most  practicable  methods  of  imposition  for  hand 
folding  have  been  adopted,  while  diagrams  of  imposition 
are  also  given  which  will  admit  of  books  being  printed 
and  bound  two  in  one  sheet.  The  impositions  of  some 
of  the  latter  will  allow  of  folding  either  by  hand  or 
machinery ; but  the  diversity  in  the  construction  of 
folding  machinery  will  not  permit  of  more  extensive 
directions  for  the  imposition  of  these  forms. 


42 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


THIRTY-SIX  PAGE  FORM. 

WITH  TWO  SIGNATURES. 


This  form  is  well  adapted  for  work  which  requires  to 
be  printed  on  the  finer  and  heavier  grades  of  paper.  The 
inset  is  imposed  at  the  left  of  the  form  because  it  is  com- 
posed of  full  pages  of  typework  which  bear  off  the 
unevenness  in  the  form  occasioned  by  “light”  and  blank 
pages  at  the  beginning  of  the  book.  The  form  gives  a 
solid  back  for  binding,  and  the  sheet  is  easily  folded  in 
two  parts. 

As  the  strongest  chase  will  spring  when  the  quoins  are 
tightened,  whether  the  form  be  composed  of  large  or 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


43 


19  18 


11  26 


27  10 


*iv 


fz  £1 


t ££  z£  £ 


Fig1.  23 a. 


small  pages,  the  register  depends  largely  upon  the  cross- 
bars, which  should  always,  if  possible,  be  used.  In  this 
form  one  bar  should  run  through  the  centre,  and  the 
other  between  the  inset  and  main  section  of  the  form. 


44 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


THIRTY-SIX  PAGE  FORM. 

WITH  ONE  SIGNATURE. 


A half-sheet  of  thirty-six  pages  printed  from  the  form 
shewn  in  the  following  illustration  may  be  folded  up  in 
its  entirety.  It  is  suitable  for  paper  of  minor  quality,  and 
is  of  good  register  and  easily  folded.  As  for  other  forms 
in  which  the  first  fold  is  toward  the  centre,  the  margins 
at  the  edge  of  the  sheet  which  is  to  be  folded  in  should 
be  carefully  adjusted  by  the  pressman. 

A principle  which  applies  to  this  as  to  other  large 
forms  is  that  all  margin  possible  should  be  given  to  the 
outside  (trimming)  edges  of  the  sheet.  After  the  back 
margins  have  been  determined,  the  other  margins  should 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


45 


□ □ 

□ 0 

6s  9S 


□ 

□ 


*5 


oi 


7 30  25  12 

□ □□□ 

□ □□□ 

gI  61  frs  £i 


A 


Fig.  24/t. 


be  equally  and  fully  divided.  This  applies  not  only  to 
those  edges  of  the  sheet  which  project  over  the  form  at 
its  outer  edges,  but  to  all  outside  margins  in  the  form. 
The  head  and  foot  margins  should  receive  their  relative 
proportion. 


46 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


DEEP  THIRTY-SIX  PAGE  FORM. 


Books  in  which  the  breadth  of  the. pages  is  about 
one-half  that  of  their  length  are  made  of  paper  of  special 
size  — a small  book  3 x 6 in.  being  printed  on  18£  x 36£ 
paper. 

The  folds  of  this  sheet  demand  that  the  adjustment  of 
the  margins  should  receive  the  most  careful  attention. 
The  outside  margins  of  pages  25,  26,  27,  28,  29  and  30  fold 
into  the  sheet  in  the  fourth  fold,  and  should  not  pass 
beyond  the  centre  of  the  margins  between  pages  24  a,nd 
31 , where  a point  is  placed  which  will  be  of  service  to  the 
binder.  One-sixteenth  of  an  inch  less  margin  between 
the  six  pages  at  the  centre  of  the  form  is  absolutely 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


47 


> a[ 


Fig.  25 a. 


necessary,  and  only  after  the  form  is  regularly  imposed 
and  ready  for  final  locking  up  should  this  space  be  with- 
drawn. The  head  and  foot  margins  should  be  treated  as 
in  other  forms, — that  is,  equally  divided. 


48 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


FORTY-PAGE  FORM. 


WITH  TWO  SIGNATURES. 


The  larger  section  of  the  forty -page  form  is  imposed  so 
that  the  printed  sheet  may  be  folded  in  the  same  manner 
as  that  of  the  thirty-two  page  form  (Fig.  19 a).  The  small 
section  is  folded  to  inset  as  shown  in  illustration. 


When  the  pages  are  made  to  suit  any  standard  size 
of  paper,  such  as  D.  Demy  or  D.  Royal,  the  dimensions 
of  the  book  will  be  almost  square.  [See  remarks  on 
twenty-page  form.] 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


49 


19  22  23  18 

□ □□□ 


17  24  21  20 


□ □ □ 


zi  6z  8Z  £1 

5 36  37  4 


o£  n 

35  6 


9 32  25  16 


15  26  31  ' 10 


Fig.  26a. 


It  will  be  found  expedient  in  the  imposition  of  large 
forms  with  an  inset  to  write  down  in  numerical  order  the 
folios  of  all  the  pages  in  the  form,  crossing  the  pages 
contained  in  the  inset,  thus  : 

1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7.  8,  9,  10,  11,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16, 
n,  W,  19,  &,'?%,  W,  &,  U,  25,  26,  27,  28, 
29,  30,  31,  32,  33,  34,  35,  31!,  37,  38,  39,  40. 

The  make-up  will  first  impose  the  pages  of  the  main 
sections  of  the  form,  and  then  those  of  the  inset. 


50 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


When  possible,  it  is  judicious  to  use  two  crossbars,  at 
right  angles  to  each  other,  in  all  book  forms.  In  large 
forms  they  are  especial^  needful.  If  the  chase  will  admit 
of  the  short  bar  being  moved,  the  pages  of  this  forty-page 
form  will  be  more  readily  adjusted  to  register  by  placing 
the  crossbar  between  the  heads  of  the  pages. 


FORTY  PAGE  FORM. 

WITH  ONE  SIGNATURE. 


The  form  here  presented  is  purposed  to  supply  a book 
which  is  folded  in  one  sheet. 

The  trimming  of  the  paper  at  the  ends  before  printing 
is  imperative.  For  the  convenience  of  the  binder  a point 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


51 


should  be  placed  where  shewn— about  g1^  in.  from  the 
fold,  encroaching  upon  the  main  section  of  the  form,  the 
pressman  to  deduct  this  space  from  the  edge  of  the  sheet 
which  is  folded  toward  the  point.  The  division  of  the 
margins  must  be  accurately  made  by  the  printer,  especi- 
ally those  at  the  heads  and  feet  of  the  pages. 

The  preceding  form  is  more  adaptive  for  the  finer 
grades  of  bookwork, 


Fig.  27 a. 


52 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


FORTY  PAGE  FORM— BROAD  WAY. 

WITH  INSET 


Fig1.  28. 


Reference  to  the  illustration  will  shew  that  the  main 
sections  of  the  type  form  are  constructed  on  the  same 
principle  as  Fig-.  21,  an  additional  eight  pages  being 
imposed  in  the  centre  of  the  form,  the  margins  to  remain 
the  same  as  that  allotted  to  the  other  sections. 

After  the  form,  containing  as  it  does  such  a large 
number  of  broad  pages,  has  been  imposed  to  fit  the  paper 
closely,  one  lead  (two  points),  should  be  withdrawn  from 
the  head  margins.  This  will  provide  for  variability  in  the 
length  of  the  sheets.  An  additional  lead  should  be  placed 
in  the  head  margins  of  the  last  fold  (*),  which  will,  unless 
the  paper  be  of  extra  heavy  quality,  suffice  to  place  the 
pages  in  a position  of  register. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


53 


Fig.  2 8a. 


54 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


FORTY-EIGHT  PAGE  FORM. 

WITH  ONE  SIGNATURE. 


The  seeming  intricacies  in  the  imposition  of  this  form 
are  easily  dissipated  if  the  make-up  proceed  by  imposing 
the  form  in  two  parts,  beginning  with  the  cancelled 
figures : 

1,  2,  3,  4,  ft  ft  ft  ft  9,  10,  11,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16, 
XI,  x$,  19,  39,  21,  22,  23,  24,  25,  26,  27,  28, 

99,  39,  3ft  33,  33,  34,  35,  36,  37,  38,  39,  40, 

XX,  0,  0,  ftf,  45,  46,  47,  48. 

When  the  margins  of  the  form  have  been  allotted  in 
the  usual  manner,  there  should  be  drawn  from  the  head 
margin  at  the  centre  of  form  twelve  points  of  space, 
which  will  avert  the  difficulty  which  would  otherwise 
occur  in  the  folding  at  the  head  margins. 


HINTS  OH  IMPOSITION. 


55 


The  head  and  foot  margins  of  a trimmed  book  are 
usually  of  equal  proportions.  When  it  is  desirable  to 
have  a larger  bottom  than  top  margin,  the  make-up  will 
proceed  as  though  the  margins  were  to  be  equally  divided, 
and  then  deduct  from  the  head  margins  the  space  which 


Fig.  29a. 


56 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


FORTY-EIGHT  PAGE  FORM. 


WITH  TWO  SIGNATURES. 


(One  Signature  of  Forty-eight  Page  Form). 

Fig.  30. 


This  form  is  imposed  “the  twenty -four  way,”  in  two 
distinct  sections,  and,  as  shewn  by  the  signatures,  the 
paper  when  printed  is  to  be  folded  in  quarter-sheets.  It 
is  adapted  to  heavier  and  finer  grades  of  paper  than  the 
forty-eight  page  form  preceding. 

By  reference  to  Fig.  15 a it  will  be  seen  that  points 
may  be  used  in  this  form  if  the  dimensions  of  the  sheet 
will  permit.  The  minimum  size  of  the  quarter-sheet,  to 
be  folded  on  a “point”  machine,  is  16 in.  xl8in.  Thus 
the  size  of  the  whole  sheet  upon  which  the  work  is  to  be 
printed  would  require  to  be  at  least  32  in.  x 36  in. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


57 


The  imposition  of  all  book  forms  admits  of  their  being* 
divided  and  printed  in  two  sections.  This  form,  however, 
if  so  divided,  would  give  two  distinct  forms  of  twenty- 
four  pages  each,  and  to  avoid  printing  a long  and  narrow 
sheet,  would  be  imposed  as  Fig.  15 a. 


58 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


FORTY -EIGHT  PAGE  FORM. 

BROAD  WAY — WITH  INSET. 


This  form  of  forty-eight  pages  is  suitable  for  paper  of 
any  quality  or  of  medium  weight.  It  is  imposed  the 
“broad  thirty -two”  way,  with  an  inset  of  sixteen  pages. 
The  sections  of  the  inset  may  be  imposed  at  the  ends  of 
the  form  if  desired.  The  form  may  readily  be  imposed  in 
three  signatures  of  ordinary  “sixteens.”  It  is  not  diffi- 
cult, however,  to  fold  a sheet  of  thirty-two  broad  pages, 
though  the  pages  be  small,  and  the  method  of  imposition 
here  shewn  facilitates  the  binding.  The  printer  is  re- 
minded that  these  large  forms  are  presented  as  imposed 
for  the  half-sheet — i.e.,  the  sheet  when  printed  on  both 
sides  is  to  be  cut  into  two  parts,  each  half-sheet  to  contain 
as  many  pages  as  covered  one  side  of  the  whole  sheet.  It 
is  obvious,  therefore,  that  this,  as  any  other  form,  may  be 
divided  and  sent  to  the  press  in  sections  (inside  and  out- 
side). The  imposition  of  any  book  form,  will,  therefore, 
admit  of  this  division.  This  has  been  stated  with  refer- 
ence to  the  thirty -two  page  form  and  others.  Every  form 
having  a number  of  pages  in  consecutive  order  contains 
an  inside  and  an  outside  section,  and  may  be  sent  to  the 
press  in  one  or  two  parts,  the  size  of  the  paper  upon 
which  the  work  is  to  be  printed,  and  the  capacity  of  the 
press,  indicating  which  shall  be  adopted. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


59 


GO 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


SIXTY- FOUR  PAGE  FORM, 

ANI>  SECTIONS. 

Figure  32  represents  a form  as  imposed  for  a half-sheet 
of  sixty-four.  It  is  not  the  custom  to  print  a sixty-four 
page  book  at  one  impression,  for  a half-sheet  containing 
such  a large  number  of  pages  cannot  conveniently  be 
folded.  It  is  not  so  difficult  to  fold  a larger  sheet,  pro- 
vided the  paper  upon  which  the  work  is  printed  is  not 
heavy.  If  the  whole  sheet  were  to  contain  but  sixty-four 
pages,  the  form  would  be  divided  at  the  centre  and  sent 
to  press  in  sections  — inside  and  outside. 

Other  methods  of  imposition  are  appended  which 
admit  of  the  book  being  printed  and  bound  in  sections. 
The  make-up  will  note,  however,  that  if  the  sixty-four 
page  book  be  made  as  shewn  by  Figs.  33  and  34,  it  will 
be  necessary,  after  the  folded  sheets  have  been  placed 
together  for  binding,  to  fasten  them  by  stitching  through 
the  sides.  This  method  of  binding  makes  a strong  book, 
and  is  the  ordinary  way  of  making  a book  of  good  quality, 
the  covers  of  which  are  to  be  pasted  on. 

Another  method  of  imposition  for  a sixty-four  page 
book — that  of  “insetting”  the  centre  thirty-two  pages  — 
is  in  many  cases  more  satisfactory,  the  order  of  imposition 
being  similar  to  that  of  Fig.  33,  the  second  and  third 
sixteen  pages  of  the  book  being  imposed  together  in  one 
form,  and  the  first  and  last  sixteens  being  likewise  im- 
posed together. 

When  the  sixty-four  page  book  is  imposed  in  sections 
of  sixteen  or  thirty-two  pages  (Figs.  33  and  34),  points 
may  be  used  for  the  book-folding  machine,  the  position 
of  the  points  being  inches  each  way  from  the  centre 
of  the  first  fold. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


61 


□ [ 
tl 

19  4 

□ [ 

] □ □ 1 

s Z9  £ 

6 35  30 

DD  1 

□ □ □ □ 

z £9  oS  Si 

31  34  47  18 

HO  DO 

□ [ 

zz 

” 5 

□ [ 

7^  ^ 8t  ^ ^ 

4 59  6 

] □ □ [ 

]■□  DO 

93  6£  z\  £z 

7 58  55  10 

] D D D 

□ □□□  [ 

zi  £S  09  S 

21  44  37  28 

□ □□□  [ 

: n □ □ 

8 & 9S  6 

25  40  41  24 

HO  DD 

□ □□□'[ 

oz  St-  98  6z 

13  52  61  4 

□ □ □□  1 

z£  ££  st7  ^1 

1 64  49  16 

]0  DD 

Fig-.  32. 


HINTS  O N IMPOSITION. 


QUARTER -SHEET  OF  SIXTY- FOUR, 

WITH  ONE  SIGNATURE. 


Fig.  33. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


63 


QUARTER -SHEET  OF  SIXTY- FOUR, 

WITH  TWO  SIGNATURES. 


□□ 

zz  Lz  9 z £z 
19  30  3»  18- 

□ □ DP 

□ ODD 

t £1  91  1 
5 12  9 8 

DP  □□ 


PP  PP 

tz  Sz  8s  iz 

17  32  29  20 

□ □ □□ 

A2 

□ □ □□ 

z Si 

7 10 

PP 


10  11  6 


Fig.  34, 


64 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


COVER  FORMS. 


□ □ 

z £ 


* 4 

□ □ 

Fig.  36. 

The  forms  shewn  above  are  for  books  with  paper  covers. 
The  margins  are  the  same  in  every  respect  as  those  of  the 
inside  sheets.  Additional  space  is  given  to  the  back 
margin  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  the  num- 
ber of  sections  in  the  book  — a book  of  sixty-four  pages  in 
signatures  of  sixteens  requiring  an  addition  of  about 
twelve  points  of  space. 

The  head  margins  should  correspond  exactly  with 
those  of  the  inside,  as  the  book  throughout,  together  with 
the  covers  is  registered  in  the  bindery  by  jogging  to  the 
top  and  back. 

The  type  pages  of  the  cover,  before  being  placed  upon 
the  stone,  are  made  to  correspond  in  size  with  the  inside 
pages  of  the  book.  Should  it  be  necessary  to  have  them 
of  unequal  size,  they  may  be  registered  to  a four-page 
section  of  the  book.  [See  remarks  on  pages  of  unequal 
size  in  one  form.] 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


65 


DOUBLE  FOUR  PAGE  FORM. 


i 4 

□ □ 

i 4 

□ □ 


3 2 

□ □ 

3 2 

□ □ 


Fig*.  37. 

The  above  is  the  ordinary  imposition  of 
cover  form. 


DOUBLE  EIGHT  PAGE  FORM. 

□ □ □□ 

z L 9 £ 


double 


66 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


DOUBLE  SIXTEEN  PAGE  FORM. 


i 

□ 

i 

□ 


When  books  are  printed  “two  on,”  or  double,  the 
form  is  usually  imposed  so  that  the  books  may  be  folded 
together  in  one  sheet,  end  to  end,  to  be  afterwards  cut 
apart. 

Before  imposing  a double  book  form,  the  exact  size 
the  publisher  requires  the  book  to  be  should  be  known. 
In  binding,  no  trimming  should  be  necessary  save  at  the 
top,  bottom  and  front  edges  of  the  double  book.  At 
the  dividing  point  the  cutting  apart  of  the  books  should 
suffice  without  further  trimming. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


67 


DOUBLE  TWENTY-FOUR  FACE  FORM. 

□=  a a a 

□>  □«  =□  =□ 


I h I h “I  1 "I  1 


CD-  ED-  -CD  -[ 


CD-  ED-  -ED  *[ 


* ED-  ”1 1 s[ 


Outside  Section.  Fig1.  40.  Inside  Section. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


DOUBLE  THIRTY- TWO  PAGE  FORM. 


□ □□□ 

zz  ii  9 Lz 

□ □□□ 

zz  ii  9 Lz 

i9  *4  3 30 

□ □□□ 

19  M 3 30 

□ □□□ 

Inside 

□ □□□ 

fz  6 8 Sz 

frz  6 8 Sz 

17  16  1 32 

□ □□□ 

17  16  1 32 

□ □□□ 


□ □□□ 

9Z  L 01  £z 

□ □□□ 

9e  L 01  £z 

31  2 15  18 

□ □□□ 

31  2 15  18 

□ □□□ 

Section. 

□ □ □□ 

8s  S zi  is 

□ □ DO 

8s  S zi  iz 

29  4 13  20 

□ □□□ 

29  4 13  20 

□ ODD 


Fig.  41. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


DOUBLE  THIRTY-SIX  PAGE  FORM. 

sCZH  a E3  G3 

H I "I  I 1 k I U *\  I °l  1 

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Fig.  42, 


Outside  Section.  Inside  Section. 


70 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


DOUBLE  FORTY  PAGE  FORM. 


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Outside  Section. 


Fig  43, 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


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DOUBLE  FORTY-EIGHT  PAGE  FORM. 


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Fig  44. 


n 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


DOUBLE  SIXTY-FOUR  PAGE  FORM, 

[Fig.  45.] 

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Outside  Section. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


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74 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


ENVELOPE  FORMS. 

The  die  with  which  the  envelopes  are  cut  out  of  the  flat 
paper  is  used  by  the  manufacturer  in  making  the  diagram, 
(Fig.  46). 

With  the  aid  of  a small  drawing  square  a line  is  drawn 
at  the  top  of  each  envelope,  by  the  printer,  from  A to  B ; 
lines  are  then  drawn  at  right  angles  from  A to  C,  and  B to 
D,  then  parallel  from  0 to  D. 

The  position  of  the  printing  may  now  be  roughly 
marked  out  on  each  envelope. 

The  oiling  of  the  sheet  on  the  back  is  the  next  step — 
thin  machine  oil  and  a small  piece  of  batting  being  used 
for  this  purpose — that  the  pencil  lines  maybe  distinctly 
seen  through  the  paper.  When  this  has  been  done  the 
sheet  is  fastened  with  drawing-pins  to  a mounting  block 
made  of  well  seasoned  pine  boards,  firmly  glued  together, 
and  battened  at  the  ends.  The  electros  are  then  placed  on 
the  paper,  and  after  being  set  in  the  position  already 
marked  out  for  them  on  the  reverse  side  of  the  sheet,  are 
fastened  to  the  mounting  block  in  the  usual  manner. 

Points,  the  positions  of  which  are  shown  by  A and  B in 
the  illustration,  are  printed  at  the  intersecting  points  at 
the  top  line  of  the  envelopes,  in  the  first  few  sheets,  as 
a guide  to  the  maker  in  setting  the  die.  They  may  be 
made  the  same  height  as  type,  of  ^ in.  steel  wire. 

Before  sending  the  form  to  the  pressroom  the  sheet 
should  be  carefully  cut  at  the  edges  of  the  electros,  and 
removed.  It  should  not  be  destroyed,  however,  as  it  may 
be  placed  over  the  electros  again,  and  will  be  of  much 
service  should  it  be  found  necessary  to  move  a plate  which 
has  not  been  properly  set. 

By  reference  to  the  illustration,  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
sheet  is  drawn  well  over  to  the  gripper  edge  of  the  mount- 
ing board.  This  provision  is  necessitated  by  the  thickness 
of  the  grippers,  which  may  be  thicker  than  the  electros. 
It  also  makes  it  possible  for  the  form  to  be  moved  into  a 
desirable  position  by  the  pressman. 


Fig.  46. 


76 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


MARGINS. 

The  top,  bottom  and  front  edges  of  a book  are  termed 
'“trimming  margins”  in  the  type  form.  The  margin  to  be 
given  the  pages  at  the  “back”  is  therefore  a most  import- 
ant feature  of  the  imposition  of  a book  form,  and  should 
be  first  determined.  If  a sheet  of  paper  upon  which  the 


work  is  to  be  printed  were  neatly  folded  and  a page  of  the 
?type  placed  upon  it  in  such  a manner  that  the  front  mar- 
gin would  admit  of  ample  trimming  and  yet  be  broader 
"than  that  between  the  type  page  and  the  back  edge  of  the 
folded  sheet,  the  back  margin  would  then  be  determined. 
Were  the  folded  sheet  to  have  the  page  of  type  set  upon 
It  in  an  absolutely  correct  position,  the  margins  of  the 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


77 


(Section  of  thirty-two  page  form). 


Fig.  48. 


78 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


form  throughout  could  be  definitely  ascertained  by  punc- 
turing the  folded  sheet  with  a thin  blade  as  close  as 
possible  to  the  edges  of  the  type  page  on  all  its  sides. 
[See  Fig.  47].  The  pages  of  the  type  form  could  then  be 
adjusted  to  the  marks  on  the  opened  sheet. 

The  placing  in  of  the  marginal  furniture  by  the  use  of 
the  folded  sheet  as  a means  of  measurement,  is  an  effectual 
method.  After  the  marginal  space  has  been  set  between 
the  pages  at  the  backs,  the  front  margin  is  determined  by 
opening  the  paper  one  fold  and  measuring  from  the  front 
edge  of  page  1 [Fig.  48]  to  the  front  edge  of  page  13,  the 
full  space  between  pages  13  and  16  being  the  front  mar- 
ginal space,  one-half  of  which  belongs  to  each  of  the 
pages  between  which  it  lies.  This  measurement  decides 
the  mean  marginal  space  for  the  front  margins  throughout. 

The  head  and  foot  margins  are  found  by  measuring 
with  the  folded  sheet  from  the  headline  of  one  page  to  the 
footline  of  the  page  above. 

Should  it  be  desired  that  a greater  foot  margin  be 
given  than  that  at  the  heads  of  the  pages,  it  will  often 
be  found  easier  to  first  impose  the  form  in  the  ordinary 
manner,  and  then  deduct  from  the  head  margin  that 
which  is  to  be  added  to  the  margin  at  the  foot. 

Rule  measurement  is  the  most  convenient  method  for 
allotting  margins,  and  the  sheet  of  paper  may  be  entirely 
dispensed  with  when  its  dimensions  are  known.  A quarter- 
sheet  of  the  paper  or  a two-foot  rule  will  serve  to  deter- 
mine the  margins  in  any  book  form. 


PAGES  OF  UNEQUAL  SIZE  IN  A FORM. 

To  impose  four  pages,  all  of  which  differ  in  size, 
the  pages  are  first  drawn  into  the  corner  of  a chase, 
where  they  may  be  readily  and  accurately  placed  in  posi- 
tion by  taking  two  pieces  of  wooden  furniture  of  equal 
length  and  of  about  the  same  length  as  the  longest  page 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


79 


and  centring-  them  upon  the  pages  which  are  against  the 
side  of  the  chase.  The  head  and  foot  margins  are  then 
defined  by  measuring  with  the  paper  from  the  foot  end  of 
one  piece  of  furniture  to  the  top  end  of  the  other.  The 
remaining  two  pages  may  be  centred  beside  those  now  in 
position.  The  front  and  back  margins  may  be  found  by 
the  same  method. 

A number  of  mounted  electros  of  unequal  size  — for 
example  thirty -two  pages  of  advertisements  which  have 
been  set  up  for  use  at  times  to  supplement  various  bonks 
of  crown  octavo  shape — are  to  be  imposed  in  one  form. 
These  pages  differ  little  in  length,  and  therefore  are 
usually  registered  at  the  headlines,  whilst  they  are  other- 
wise centred  one  with  the  other.  The  pages  are  first 
placed  in  the  order  of  imposition  in  a chase  which  con- 
tains crossbars.  The  sixteen  pages  touching  the  long  bar 
are  then  taken  singly  on  to  a galley  and  made  of  equal 
length,  the  addition  being  to  the  foot  of  each  page.  When, 
this  work  is  finished,  all  headlines  in  the  form  will  register. 
If  it  is  necessary  to  centre  the  pages  in  their  lengths,  the 
space  at  the  feet  may  now  be  divided  equally  between  head 
and  foot  margins.  Should  the  pages  vary  in  width,  one 
of  average  size  may  be  placed  on  a carefully  folded  sheet 
of  the  paper  in  the  position  desired  for  the  printed  page. 
The  space  from  the  edge  of  the  electro  to  (he  edge  of  the 
paper  will  (say)  at  the  front  (open)  edge  be  inches,  and 
at  the  back  edge  1 inch.  The  distance  between  the  pages 
would  if  they  were  of  equal  width  throughout,  be  3 inches 
at  the  front  and  two  inches  at  the  back,  and  the  difference 
in  the  width  of  the  other  pages  must  be  added  to  or 
deducted  from  these  margins.  To  accurately  obtain  the 
positions,  therefore,  a reglet  or  long  strip  is  taken  which 
will  fully  extend  across  the  form.  Beginning  at  the  end 
of  the  strip  in  the  left  hand  the  margins  and  page  width 
are  marked  out  on  the  strip,  after  which  the  pages  are 
centred  by  the  lines  representing  the  sides  of  the  pages 
on  the  strip,  the  end  of  the  strip  being  set  at  a line  on  the 
chase  drawn  at  right  angles  to  the  short  crossbar. 


80 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION 


GRIPPER  MARGIN. 

As  applied  to  book  forms,  the  space  between  the  type 
and  the  outer  edge  of  the  chase  at  the  gripper  side  is  the 
gripper  margin.  As  no  definite  measurement  can  be 
given  here  for  the  width  of  this  margin,  printing  presses 
of  different  size  and  manufacture  varying  in  this  respect, 
it  may  be  said  that  the  average  gauge  for  large  cylinder 
presses  is  three  inches,  and  two  inches  for  “pony”  cylin- 
der presses.  The  construction  of  the  press-bed  and 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


81 


clamps  of  some  cylinder  presses  admit  of  a form  being- 
moved  forward  a short  distance  to  the  grippers.  A gauge 
showing  the  gripper  margin  for  each  press  should  be 
obtained  from  the  pressman. 

Provision  should  be  made  for  gripper  margin  when 
the  marginal  furniture  is  placed  beside  the  long  crossbar 
in  the  form.  For  commercial  work  which  is  to  be  printed 
on  a cylinder  press,  the  gripper  margin  may  be  defined 
by  placing  the  paper  on  the  type  in  its  corresponding 
position.  The  paper  is  then  brought  to  within  inches 
of  the  outer  edge  of  the  chase.  The  pressman  may  then 
easily  move  the  form  into  a suitable  place. 

Fig.  49.  shews  the  gripper  margin  of  a form  and  the 
gripper  edge  of  a sheet  of  thirty-two  pages,  the  outside 
sixteen-page  section  being  printed.  The  lowest  folio  of 
the  form  determines  the  gripper  edge.  The  pages  of  the 
inside  form  will  be  imposed  in  corresponding  positions  in 
the  chase,  in  order  that  the  same  edge  of  the  paper  may 
be  fed  to  the  gripper  guides.  The  lowest  folio  in  the  form 
also  indicates  the  gripper  edge  of  a form  which  “backs 
itself.” 


REGISTER. 

“Register”  is  the  correspondence  of  pages,  or  lines, 
opposite  to  each  other,  or  on  the  reverse  side  of  the  sheet. 
As  it  contributes  to  a great  extent  to  the  results  of  the 
work  throughout,  it  should  be  strictly  regarded  from  the 
commencement  of  the  work.  If  the  pages  are  carefully 
made  of  one  size  at  the  galley,  their  adjustment  and 
register  in  the  form  is  assured. 

When  the  pages  have  been  placed  in  their  corresponding 
positions  in  the  chase,  and  the  marginal  furniture  has  been 
allotted,  the  quoins  should  be  gently  tightened,  and  the 
sides  of  the  pages  examined  for  points  or  letters  which 
may  have  been  disturbed  in  removing  the  strings.  Equal 
pressure  is  then  given  to  the  form  on  all  its  sides. 

The  parallel  strip  and  square  are  the  means  of  register- 
ing the  pages  of  a book  form.  The  strip,  laid  against 


82 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


the  headlines  of  the  pages  whose  footlines  touch  the 
crossbar,  will  show  any  variation  in  the  length  of  these 
pages,  and  if  the  marginal  furniture  between  the  tops  of 
the  pages  is  of  equal  width,  the  register  at  the  headlines 
is  obtained.  The  sides  are  registered  by  squaring  from 
the  headlines. 

If  the  two  outer  rows  of  pages  in  the  form  are  made  to 
register  with  each  other  at  the  headlines,  the  amount  of 
variation  in  the  other  pages  may  be  discovered  by  drawing 
a thread  tightly  across  the  headlines  and  adjusting  the 
intervening  pages  to  the  thread.  This  will  be  found 
advantageous  in  the  imposition  of  large  forms  of  electros 
which  are  sometimes  imposed  without  having  been  sub- 
mitted to  the  ordinary  plan  of  making  all  the  pages  of 
equal  length  on  the  galley. 

The  folios  are  usually  the  guides  for  hand-folding  and 
should  receive  liberal  attention,  for  a book  of  the  most 
ordinary  quality,  as  well  as  the  book  of  superior  grade 
will  not  be  registered  in  binding  unless  the  folios  are  in  a 
position  of  register,  whether  they  be  at  the  head  or  foot 
of  the  page. 

A strong  slug  or  reglet  should  be  placed  at  the  head  and 
foot  of  a large  page  of  type  before  it  is  tied  up.  Secure 
tying  is  the  only  safeguard  for  a page  of  type  until  it  is 
locked  up  in  the  chase. 


SIZES  OF  BOOKS. 

Folio — A book  of  two  leaves,  or  four  pages;  Quarto  — 
Four  leaves,,  or  eight  pages ; Sexto  — Six  leaves,  or  twelve 
pages;  Octavo — Eight  leaves,  or  sixteen  pages;  16mo  — 
sixteen  leaves;  18mo — eighteen  leaves;  24mo — twenty- 
four  leaves,  etc. 

In  the  making  of  books,  such  terms  as  Crown,  Demy, 
Royal,  etc.,  are  used  to  designate  the  size  of  paper  from 
which  a book  is  made  : A sheet  of  Crown  measures  15  in. 
x 20  in. ; the  size  of  a Crown  octavo  (Cr.  8vo)  book  would, 
therefore,  be  5 in.  x 7^  in. 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


83 


A FEW  SUGGESTIONS. 


The  makeup  should  learn  to  use  the  measuring-  rule  or 
tape  measure.  They  are  more  convenient  to  measure  with 
than  paper,  and  their  use  is  regarded  as  evidence  of  know- 
ledge of  the  imposition  of  book  forms. 

Ascertain  what  furniture  will  be  required  for  the 
margins  of  a book  form  before  placing  it  upon  the  stone. 
Time  will  be  saved,  and  the  work  will  have  the  appearance 
of  order  and  neatness. 

The  inner  wedge  of  a quoin  in  a book  form  should  point 
towards  the  crossbar. 

Quoins  lose  their  grip  when  wedged  between  the  iron 
chase  and  wooden  furniture.  A thin  piece  of  cardboard 
placed  between  the  quoin  and  chase  will  overcome  the 
difficulty.  For  the  protection  of  the  furniture  a thin 
reglet  of  wood  should  be  used  between  quoin  and  f urniture. 


To  raise  a form  from  the  stone  which  is  too  heavy  at  the 
centre  to  be  lifted  with  safety,  a smooth  board,  which  will 
extend  fully  across  the  form  and  chase,  may  be  nailed 
securely  to  the  furniture  near  the  centre  of  the  form. 
The  space  at  each  end  between  the  board  and  chase  should 
be  tightly  filled  up  before  lifting  the  form.  The  type 
should  be  protected  with  soft  paper. 

Much  time  and  labor  will  be  saved  in  the  imposition  of 
“books^of  words”  of  sixteen  or  more  pages,  for  concerts, 
cantatas,  etc. , in  which  the  pages  of  words  are  folioed  in 
consecutive  order,  and  in  which  the  pages  of  advertise- 
ments have  no  folios,  if  all  of  the  pages  (from  1 to  16)  are 
labelled,  according  to  their  order,  with  small  slips  of 
paper,  before  being  placed  in  the  form. 


84 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


Duplicate  pages  are  necessary  for  the  printing  of  a 
double  book  form. 

A clean  proof,  taken  on  a sheet  of  white  paper,  which 
will  give  a broad  white  margin  to  the  reading  matter  on 
all  sides,  is  not  only  pleasing  to  the  author,  but  will  often 
influence  him  to  overlook  other  things  which  may  seem  to 
him  defective. 

The  type  used  in  pages  containing  illustrations  should 
be  made  up  dry.  Wet  type  invariably  affects  the  bases 
upon  which  the  illustrations  are  mounted.  It  will  also 
warp  the  furniture  in  the  form. 

A poster  form,  if  left  standing  through  changeable 
weather,  will  fall  to  pieces. 


Marginal  notes  and  references,  when  placed  beside  the 
text,  are  on  the  folio  side,  or  outside  margin,  of  the  page. 


In  the  dissection  of  an  intricate  page  for  color  work, 
time  will  be  saved  if  a proof  of  the  key  form  is  made  on  a 
piece  of  thin,  smooth  paper.  The  printed  sheet  is  then 
placed  face  down  on  the  galley,  when  the  type  for  the 
second  color  may  be  arranged  over  the  printing  as  seen 
through  the  paper.  Should  the  printing  not  be  distinctly 
seen,  place  a sheet  of  white  paper  between  the  galley  and 
the  design. 

In  the  setting  of  solid  type  around  a cut  which  is  in  the 
centre  of  a page,  the  typework  must  be  divided  into  two 
or  more  columns  above  and  below  the  cut. 

If  a cut  or  illustration  is  turned  • sidewise  in  the  type 
page,  the  page  should  be  so  made  up  and  imposed  that  if 
the  folio  of  the  page  is  an  even  number  the  head  of  the 
illustration  will  be  at  the  folio  side  of  the  page,  and  if  the 


HINTS  ON  IMPOSITION. 


85 


folio  of  the  page  is  an  odd  number  the  foot  of  the 
illustration  should  be  at  the  folio  side.  The  same 
rule  should  be  observed  if  the  two  illustrations  are 
to  be  opposite  each  other  in  the  book. 

These  directions  are  also  applicable  to  pages  of 
tabular  work. 

To  measure  type,  multiply  the  number  of  solid 
ems  contained  in  the  width  by  the  number  of  solid 
ems  contained  in  the  length. 


The  quantity  of  plain  type  required  for  a book  or 
magazine  may  be  ascertained  by  finding  the  number 
of  square  inches  of  reading  matter  and  dividing  the 
same  by  four ; the  quotient  gives  the  approximate 
weight  of  the  type.  As  it  is  not  possible  to  set  the 
cases  clear,  add  25  per  cent  to  large  fonts  and  33  per 
cent  to  small  fonts,  which  will  allow  for  unused  type 
remaining  in  the  cases. 


- 


c" 


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